Hartley Adkins, the Markets Group President of radio broadcaster iHeart Media, will retire at the end of the summer after more than three decades with the company.
The announcement was made in a memo written by iHeart Media CEO Bob Pittman and Chief Operating Officer Rich Bressler that was circulated among employees on Wednesday.
“It’s with mixed emotions that we let you know that Hartley Adkins has made the decision to retire at the end of this summer after 32 years with us,” Pittman and Bressler wrote. “We’re sad because Hartley has been such an important part of this company in every role he’s held, and certainly most recently as President of the Markets Group; on the other hand, we understand his desire to spend more time with his family – it’s well-deserved, and certainly comes with our blessings and support.”
The website Inside Radio was the first to report Adkins’ impeding retirement
Adkins began his career with iHeart Media as a salesperson in Tampa, Florida, in 1993 before rising steadily through the company’s leadership ranks. As head of the Markets Group, he oversaw a transformation of the business from a traditional broadcast radio operation into a multi-platform audio company that now includes podcasting, digital radio, social media and live events.
“Hartley has had a series of impressive accomplishments in this company in every job he’s held,” Pittman and Bressler said. “He’s been developing the data and case studies our partners need to appreciate and utilize the power of our broadcast radio asset and how they can take advantage of the full array of our multi-platform assets. His wisdom, knowledge and urgency in everything he does will be missed, and on a personal level, we will miss working with him day to day.”
In addition to his work at iHeart Media, Adkins has been active in industry leadership roles with the National Association of Broadcasters, the Radio Advertising Bureau and as the company’s primary liaison to the radio industry at large.
Adkins will remain with iHeart Media in a part-time capacity as a strategic advisor, assisting with special projects, industry relations and growth initiatives.
“Please join us in thanking and celebrating Hartley for his contributions and leadership at iHeart as we transformed into the 21st century audio industry leader,” Pittman and Bressler said. “We know the time he’ll be able to spend with his family is very special, and we wish him well.”
